Stephen M Mcnicholas

Speaking publicly for the first time Monday, two Los Angeles police officers at the center of a sweeping LAPD sexual harassment inquiry vehemently denied that they have ever mistreated women and insisted they are victims of vindictive department managers. "I categorically deny" all the allegations, said Officer Jay Varga, a much-lauded LAPD veteran, who with Officer Stephen M. McNicholas has been accused of mistreating female colleagues. "They are all false. . . . We haven't harassed anybody."

Speaking publicly for the first time Monday, two Los Angeles police officers at the center of a sweeping LAPD sexual harassment inquiry vehemently denied that they have ever mistreated women and insisted they are victims of vindictive department managers. "I categorically deny" all the allegations, said Officer Jay Varga, a much-lauded LAPD veteran, who with Officer Stephen M. McNicholas has been accused of mistreating female colleagues. "They are all false. . . . We haven't harassed anybody."

Two veteran officers have been transferred and others may also be disciplined as a result of a sweeping investigation of sexual harassment inside the LAPD's West Los Angeles station, which has a long-held but hotly disputed reputation for hostility toward women.

Two Los Angeles police officers at the center of a massive LAPD sexual harassment inquiry received glowing performance evaluations after incidents in which they allegedly mistreated female colleagues, copies of personnel records obtained by The Times reveal. In early 1993, Officer Jay A. Varga was given strong ratings in 22 of 28 categories and was not found to need improvement in any area.